Magnetically-intercoupled neck strap and tie assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a neck strap having a magnetic receptacle to which either a pre-tied bow tie or pre-tied tie is engagably and magnetically attachable. Two types of neck straps are disclosed. A first embodiment neck strap is a conventional elasticized cloth strap, adjustable in length, having clasp-together, hook and eye opposite ends and having a button magnetic receptacle secured to a middle portion thereof. The second embodiment neck strap is a cloth strap having a first end to which a pair of spaced-apart neodymium magnets are sewn or bonded. The opposite end has a series of equally-spaced ferromagnetic discs which are sewn or bonded thereto. The ferromagnetic discs are attracted to the neodymium magnets, thereby holding the ends of the strap together. A bow tie or dress tie has a plug that magnetically secures itself to the magnetic receptacle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, generally, to ties and bow ties and, more particularly, to pre-tied dress ties and bow ties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Though the wearing of pre-tied dress ties and bow ties is considered, by many, to be gauche and tawdry, as well as evidence of a lack of style and good taste, pre-tied dress ties and bow ties are highly functional and serve to enhance both safety and convenience of the wearer.

During the early days of the Battle of Britain, RAF fighter pilots were required to wear light-blue dress shirts and black ties. However, after a number of pilots drowned because of the tight-buttoned collars after ditching their fighter planes in the British Channel, the dress policy was altered to allow for unbuttoned shirts without ties. A similar situation occurs in present-day police departments. Because departments are concerned that a tie-wearing officer may be at risk of strangulation if attacked, pre-tied ties, that attach with clips to the collar of a dress shirt, have become the norm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a neck strap having a magnetic receptacle to which either a pre-tied bow tie or pre-tied tie is engagably and magnetically attachable. Two types of neck straps are disclosed. A first embodiment neck strap is a conventional elasticized cloth strap, adjustable in length, having clasp-together, hook and eye opposite ends and having a button magnetic receptacle secured to a middle portion thereof. The second embodiment neck strap is a cloth strap having a first end to which a pair of spaced-apart neodymium magnets are sewn or bonded. The opposite end has a series of equally-spaced ferromagnetic discs which are sewn or bonded thereto. The ferromagnetic discs are attracted to the neodymium magnets, thereby holding the ends of the strap together. Adjustability is achieved by the use of the series of equally-spaced ferromagnetic discs, which enable the strap to be sized larger or smaller to fit the neck of a wearer. Like the first embodiment neck strap, the second embodiment neck strap also has a button magnetic receptacle secured to a middle portion thereof. The magnets as preferably neodymium magnets, which are actually an alloy of neodymium, iron and boron having the chemical formula Nd₂Fe₁₄B. Developed in 1982 in bonded form by General Motors Corporation and in sintered form by Sumitomo Metals, these magnets—along with samarium cobalt magnets—are the strongest types of permanent magnets currently available. A bow tie and a dress tie are provided. Each has a ferromagnetic plug that magnetically secures itself to the magnetic receptacle of the neck strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment neck strap having a conventional elasticized cloth strap, adjustable in length, having clasp-together, hook and eye opposite ends and having a button magnetic receptacle secured to a middle portion thereof;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of second embodiment neck strap having both a magnetic clasp and a central magnetic receptacle button;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of a pre-tied bow tie having a ferromagnetic plug button; and

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of a pre-tied dress tie having a ferromagnetic plug button secured to the rear of the knot portion.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawing figures. It is to be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that they are intended to be merely illustrative.

Referring now to FIG. 1, first embodiment neck strap 100 has a conventional elasticized cloth band 101 that adjustable in length. One end thereof is fitted with a strap clip 102 having a hook 103; the other end thereof is fitted with a strap clip 104 having an eye 105. A button magnetic receptacle 106 is secured to a middle portion of the neck strap 100. It will be noted that a strap-length-adjusting clip 107 allows the neck strap 100 to be made smaller or larger to fit a particular wearer. It will be noted that the button magnetic receptacle 106 has a square receptacle 108. The magnet 109 is preferably a very strong neodymium permanent magnet.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a second embodiment neck strap 200 has a cloth strap 201 with a first end to which a pair of spaced-apart neodymium magnets 202A and 202B are sewn or bonded. The opposite end has a series of equally-spaced ferromagnetic discs 203A-203G, which are sewn or bonded thereto. The ferromagnetic discs 203A-203G are attracted to the neodymium magnets, thereby holding the ends of the strap together. Adjustability is achieved by the use of the series of equally-spaced ferromagnetic discs, which enable the strap to be sized larger or smaller to fit the neck of a wearer, depending on which ferromagnetic discs are magnetically secured to the magnets 202A and 202B. The second embodiment neck strap 200 also has a button magnetic receptacle 106, identical to that of the first embodiment neck strap 100, that is secured to a middle portion of the neck strap 200.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a pre-tied bow tie 300 has a ferromagnetic plug button 301 secured to the simulated knot 302 of the bow tie. It will be noted that the plug 303 is square so that it fits into the square receptacle 108 of the button magnetic receptacle 106 of either the first neck strap 100 or the second neck strap 200. The square shapes of each, coupled with minimal clearance between the plug 303 and the receptacle 108 prevent the plug 303 from rotating within the receptacle 108.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a pre-tied dress tie 400 has a ferromagnetic plug button 301 secured to the simulated knot 401 of the dress tie. As with the bow tie, the square shapes of the receptacle 108 and the plug 303 prevent the plug 303 from rotating in the receptacle 108.

Although only several embodiments of the neck strap having a magnetic receptacle to which either a pre-tied tie or bow tie is engagably attachable have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in the art that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A neck strap and tie assembly comprising: a neck strap securable around a neck of a wearer, said neck strap having a magnetic receptacle secured on an outer surface thereto; and a tie having a ferromagnetic plug secured to a rear portion thereof, said ferromagnetic plug being engagably and magnetically attachable to said magnetic receptacle.
 2. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 1, wherein said tie is a pre-tied dress tie.
 3. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 1, wherein said tie is a pre-tied bow tie.
 4. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 1, wherein said neck strap is an elasticized cloth strap, adjustable in length, having clasp-together, hook and eye opposite ends.
 5. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 1, wherein said neck strap is a cloth strap having a first end to which at least one magnet is secured, and a second end to which a series of equally-spaced ferromagnetic discs are secured.
 6. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 5, wherein said at least one magnet is of neodymium composition.
 7. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 5, wherein said at least one magnet and said equally-spaced ferromagnetic discs are sewn to said neck strap.
 8. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 5, wherein said at least one magnet and said equally-spaced ferromagnetic discs are bonded to said neck strap.
 9. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 5, wherein said at least one magnet comprises a pair of spaced-apart neodymium magnets.
 10. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 1, wherein said button magnetic receptacle and said ferromagnetic button plug are keyed to prevent rotation of the tie.
 11. A neck strap and tie assembly comprising: a neck strap securable around a neck of a wearer, said neck strap having a neodymium button magnetic receptacle secured thereto in a generally central portion and on an outer surface thereof; and a tie having a ferromagnetic button plug secured to a rear portion thereof, said ferromagnetic button plug being engagably and magnetically attachable to said button magnetic receptacle.
 12. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 11, wherein said tie is a pre-tied dress tie.
 13. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 11, wherein said tie is a pre-tied bow tie.
 14. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 11, wherein said neck strap is an elasticized cloth strap, adjustable in length, having clasp-together, hook and eye opposite ends.
 15. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 11, wherein said neck strap is a cloth strap having a first end to which at least one neodymiummagnet is secured, and a second end to which a series of equally-spaced ferromagnetic discs are secured.
 16. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 11, wherein said button magnetic receptacle and said ferromagnetic button plug are keyed to prevent rotation of the tie.
 17. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 16, wherein said button magnetic receptacle and said ferromagnetic button plug are keyed by making each a regular polygonal shape.
 18. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 17, wherein said regular polygonal shape is a square.
 19. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 15, wherein said at least one magnet and said equally-spaced ferromagnetic discs are sewn to said neck strap.
 20. The neck strap and tie assembly of claim 15, wherein said at least one magnet and said equally-spaced ferromagnetic discs are bonded to said neck strap. 